Birth Blessings
Belly Casts:
Pregnant women are sacred. Honor and remember your pregnancy by having a plaster cast made of your belly, and you will have a beautiful piece of artwork forever. I can make the cast, or I can guide you through the process. Afterwards, I can reinforce the cast, then sand and paint it.
What is casted?
Generally, moms choose to make a cast of their full torso, both breasts and belly, though some moms choose to only have their belly casted.
The Process
I will provide the mom with a complimentary jar of coconut oil, and she will slather that onto the areas that will be casted. I will dip the plaster cast strips in warm water with essential oils of your choice (lavender or rose), and then lay the strips across the areas to be casted in an overlapping pattern. After about 15-20 minutes the cast will harden and pull away from your body leaving a cast of your pregnant belly. While we are waiting for your cast to dry we will discuss the images and ideas you have for the finished painting. The entire process takes about one hour.
*Note: This process is messy, so I recommend wearing something you do not mind getting dirty. I will bring a drop cloth to limit the mess , and a wash cloth to help wash off any plaster residue remaining on your body.
Reinforcing and Prepping
Although the cast itself is a perfect impression of your pregnant belly, it is not very strong. In order to strengthen it, I will take the cast home, add one layer of hydrocal plaster and two layers of finishing plaster (sanding in between coats). I will then sand it to a smooth finish, and prime it.
Artwork
The final painting will vary in creation time depending on the complexity of the artwork you desire. I love to incorporate symbols, images, and colors that are of specific relevance to your pregnancy or childbirth experience.
Pregnant women are sacred. Honor and remember your pregnancy by having a plaster cast made of your belly, and you will have a beautiful piece of artwork forever. I can make the cast, or I can guide you through the process. Afterwards, I can reinforce the cast, then sand and paint it.
What is casted?
Generally, moms choose to make a cast of their full torso, both breasts and belly, though some moms choose to only have their belly casted.
The Process
I will provide the mom with a complimentary jar of coconut oil, and she will slather that onto the areas that will be casted. I will dip the plaster cast strips in warm water with essential oils of your choice (lavender or rose), and then lay the strips across the areas to be casted in an overlapping pattern. After about 15-20 minutes the cast will harden and pull away from your body leaving a cast of your pregnant belly. While we are waiting for your cast to dry we will discuss the images and ideas you have for the finished painting. The entire process takes about one hour.
*Note: This process is messy, so I recommend wearing something you do not mind getting dirty. I will bring a drop cloth to limit the mess , and a wash cloth to help wash off any plaster residue remaining on your body.
Reinforcing and Prepping
Although the cast itself is a perfect impression of your pregnant belly, it is not very strong. In order to strengthen it, I will take the cast home, add one layer of hydrocal plaster and two layers of finishing plaster (sanding in between coats). I will then sand it to a smooth finish, and prime it.
Artwork
The final painting will vary in creation time depending on the complexity of the artwork you desire. I love to incorporate symbols, images, and colors that are of specific relevance to your pregnancy or childbirth experience.
Price List*
Creating the Cast (I come to you): $60
Reinforcing and Prepping Cast: $100
Final Artwork: $50/hr
*Payment plans are available, and I am open to partial barters/trades.
Creating the Cast (I come to you): $60
Reinforcing and Prepping Cast: $100
Final Artwork: $50/hr
*Payment plans are available, and I am open to partial barters/trades.
Birth Blessings Circle:
As a mother prepares to birth a child she is sacred, and her journey into motherhood should honor her and the miracle of life. As an alternative or complement to a traditional baby shower, a blessing into motherhood gathers women together to surround and bless the mother-to-be in love and sacred space, offering words, ritual, tokens of support, and love. I can function as a guide for this process either as a leader, or by sharing my knowledge and creative abilities.
*Cost is $50/hour. Generally, a Birth Blessing Circle lasts approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Usually, at least 1/2 hour of planning and organizing.
As a mother prepares to birth a child she is sacred, and her journey into motherhood should honor her and the miracle of life. As an alternative or complement to a traditional baby shower, a blessing into motherhood gathers women together to surround and bless the mother-to-be in love and sacred space, offering words, ritual, tokens of support, and love. I can function as a guide for this process either as a leader, or by sharing my knowledge and creative abilities.
*Cost is $50/hour. Generally, a Birth Blessing Circle lasts approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Usually, at least 1/2 hour of planning and organizing.
